Corn-planter



(No Model.)

4 Sheets--Sheet 1. J. LOCI-1BR.

001m PLANTER.

Patented Nov. 9, 1886.

(No Model.)

. 4 Sheets-Sh eet 2. J. LOGHER.

CORN PLANTER.

Patented Nov. 9, 1886.

h fi ==z== Afr- EET (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

. H J. LOGHBR.

001m PLANTBR.

No. 352,418. Patented Nov. 9, 1886.

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4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

J. LOGHER.

001m PLANTER.

No. 352,418. Patented Nov. 9, 1886.

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I I a7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC JAMES LOOHER, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

CORN-PLANTER.

EPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 352,418,:1ated November 9, 1886.

Application filed September 24, 1886. Serial No. 214,400. (No molel.)

To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, J AMES LOCHER, of the city of Decatur, county of Macon, and'State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Planters, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to increase the uniformity and accuracy with which corn may be planted, and I effect this result through means hereinafter set forth and claimed, which enables the driver to detect at once any irregularity in the operation of the dropping mechanism.

The essential elements of my invention consist of a set of horizontal or approximately horizontal shelves in the same vertical or approximately vertical plane, and of differing altitudes, and a set of approximately vertical wings in the same plane with the shelves, and forming therewith a series of interiorly-exposed compartments, either the wings or the shelves having a lateral reciprocating motion. This device, which will indicate to the driver whether or not the planter is dropping correctly, and may therefore with propriety be called an indicator, is connected with a planter in a position to receive the corn from the first drop and conveythe same to the second drop thereof.

In the drawingsaccompanying and forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side view of a corn-planter embodying my invention. .Fig. 2 is arear elevation ofaseed-box and shank of the planter shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a face view of my indicator. Fig. 4 is a rear view of the same. Fig. 5 is a view of the interior of the oscillating frame. section of the indicator on dotted line so in Fig. 3. Figs. 7,8, 9, and 10 represent the course of the grain through the indicator. is a section of the indicator and contiguous portions of the dropping mechanism on a line corresponding in position to dotted line or in Fig. 3. Fig. 12 is a view of a modification.

a is the indicator, which is secured, when in operation, to the rear of a planter-shank below the seed-box.

b b b, are central openings in the face of the indicator.

0 c are lateral openings in the face of th indicator, to the left of the center thereof.

Fig. 6 is a Fig. 11

d d are lateral openings in the face of the indicator, to the rightof the center thereof.

e are approximately horizontal arc-formed shelves projecting inwardly from the face of the indicator.

f is an oscillating frame,pivoted at f ,and having radial wings, which combine with shelves 6 to form shifting compartments.

9 are lugs on the frame j, which are used to connect said frame with an oscillating second: drop valve of a corn-planter.

h are discharge openings in frame f.

r are the radial wings having slots to permit the free passage of the plates.

Zis a transparent face-plate for the indicator, which combines with the solid back of frame f to completelyinclose the grain-compartments formed by the shelves 6 and wings 2', and prevent the escape of the corn.

m, Fig, 11, represents a cut-off for the dropplate of a corn-planter.

n is the drop-plate.

0 is the casing of the planter-shank o is an opening in the shank-casing, through which the corn passes from the indicator.

is the oscillating second-drop valve of the corn-planter.

Frame f is oscillated by the seconddrop valve of the cornplanter, and its longitudinal spaces are each alternately in a vertical position under the discharge of the seed-plate.

motion of the frame pushes the corn off this shelf, from which it falls by gravity to a latveral shelf. Another motion ofthe frame pushes the corn off the lateral shelf in position to fall on the next lower central shelf, and so the operation continues, carrying the corn entirely through the indicator in a zigzag direction with regular intervals of rest on succeeding shelves, the motive power consisting in lateral pressure from the wings of the frame and simple force of gravity. As shown in Fig. 3, the corn would fall in compartmentb and descend through d, b, d, and b toa discharge-opening. the next discharge from the seed-plate descending through b, c, b, c, and b, and so on alternately. Fig. 7 shows the position of the corn after the first operation of the first drop. Fig. 8 shows the position of the com after the second operation, Fig. 9 after the third, and Fig.710 after the fourth. The open ing 0 of the shank-easing is on a line with the center of the indicator, and of a width corresponding to the width of a discharge-opening, It, so that the corn may pass from the indicator only through the discharge-opening that is on the vertical line. The progression of the corn through the indicator and into the shank is regularly intermittent, the corn in each compartment descending one degree at each oscillation of the frame. The oscillation of the frame is synchronous with the operation of the seed -plat-e, and consequently a considerable amount of time is required for the corn to pass through the indicatoran amount qnite suffi cient to enable a man exercising ordinary care to detect an irregularity in the quantity of corn deposited or an entire failure tooperate, the first-named condition giving warning that a readjustment of parts is necessary, and the Y to a central plate after a lateral displacement by an oscillating wing. The arrows indicate the general direction of the corn from one shelf to another, and, as in the preferred form heretofore specified, the progression of the corn is regularly intermittent, the difference being that in the modified form the shelves on which rests are made are allvertically coincident. 1 i

As shown and described, the. lateral wings have a reciprocating motion, and such motion is oscillatory; but itis obvious that a rectilin ear reciprocating motion in the wings would beequally effective, and that a similar result could be produced by shifting the shelves instead of the wings.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. An indicator for the dropping mechanism of corn-planters, consisting in a set of approximately horizontal shelves at differing altitudes and a set of approximately vertical wings in the same plane wit-h'the shelves, and

.forming, therewith a series of interiorly-exposed compartments, eitherthe wings or the shelves having lateral reciprocating motion, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. An indicator for the dropping mechanism of corn-planters, consisting in aset of approximately horizontal shelves arranged in a zigzag manner at differing altitudes and a set of approximately vertical and parallel wings in the same plane with the shelves, and forming therewith a series of interiorly-exposed compartments, either the shelves or the wings having lateral reciprocating motion, as and for the purpose setforth.

3. An indicator for the dropping mechanism of corn-planters, consisting in a set of areformed shelves approximately horizontal in general position and at differing altitudes, and a set of radial Wings approximately vertical in general position, and forming with the shelves a series of interiorly-exposed compartments, either the shelves or the wings having an oscillatory reciprocating motion in an approximately horizontal plane, as and for the purpose set forth.

4:. An indicator for the dropping 11180113111 ism of corn-planters, consisting in a set of areformed shelves approximately horizontal in general position and arranged in a zigzag manner at differing altitudes and a set of radial wings approximately vertical in general position, and forming with theshelves a series of interiorly exposed compartments, either the shelves or the wings having an oscillatory reciprocating motion in an approximately horizontal plane, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In combination with a corn-planter, an indicatorfor the dropping mechanism thereof, consisting in a set of approximately horizontal shelves at differing altitudes and a set of approximately vertical wings, forming with the shelves a series of interiorly-exposed compartments, the indicator being placed to receive the discharge from the seed-plate of the planter, and either the shelves or the wings having a lateral reciprocating motion synchronously with the operation of the seed-plate of the planter, as and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES LOOHER.

Attest:

O. O. CLARK, L. 1?. GRAHAM. 

